The air was laden with the heavy scent of the summer’s bounties; rose hips, hydrangea, and the sweet smell of honeysuckle filled the air. Sitting but not moving Alex had not been this spent in many years. The day’s work of gardening or rather laboring had been intense. Dirt still under the pale pink beds of her now ragged fingernails. It felt good to know she hadn’t needed a man. Divorced for the second time she knew she could rely on herself to get the jobs around the house done. Wearily she dragged herself out of the chair and up the granite steps, looking back at the yard with a satisfied grin on her face. In ten years of marriage her gardens had not looked this good. Now a week into vacation and already many plans had been accomplished. Meandering past plastic remnants of flower pots Alex opened the screen door. Slamming it shut behind her brought back memories of the old shore house. There’s nothing like that slam to bring back many summer fantasies of past summers. She would like to slam down a few bottles of beer right about now, but opting for water to quench her thirst. Resisting that thought Alex dropped her clothes and climbed into the small shower off of her mudroom. Raising her face upward the hot water cascaded down her tired body. Streaks from the day’s dirt pooled muddily toward the drain. Not wanting to miss any of the night’s magic, Alex scrubbed her body free of dirt, toweled off and padded up the beige stairs to find some clothing. Dressed in a white nightie Alex took a glass from the rack and chose a bottle of Pinot Grigio from the refrigerator. On her way out the door she hit the button on her iPod and the sweet voice of Taylor Swift trailed after her. Alex set the glassware down and sank into the newly bought cushion of her patio chair. By now dusk was over and the moon was rising. If only it were full it would be the perfect night. Alex poured the pale yellow liquid into her glass. A quick sip brought a chilling taste of fruit to mind. Mmmm this was good. Muscles tired, freshly showered and a warm evening soaking in the week’s activity. The fairy lights looked perfect as they played hide and seek between the lush greenery and the old antique arbor. She really liked the look of the granite cobblestones for the path as well. Shutting her eyes and taking in the nighttime noises swayed Alex gently into a light sleep. She came too, with a rustling behind her. The tall dark shadow coming around the corner should have made her call out in fright only it did the opposite and caused a warm feeling to come over her. “How’s it going Allie? Any beer in the fridge?” “It hasn’t moved since the last time you were here.” Alex admired the tall leanness of her best friend. No one could quite wear Levi’s like Bryce could. He looked the same as he had since high school. Now fast approaching 50 not much had changed. She wished she could say the same. Battle wounds showed both on the outside and the inside of Alex’s athletic build. It hadn’t been an easy life she had, but at least she was home now.
Meandering past plastic remnants of flower pots Alex opened the screen door. Slamming it shut behind her brought back memories of the old shore house. There’s nothing like that slam to bring back many summer fantasies of past summers. She would like to slam down a few bottles of beer right about now, but opting for water to quench her thirst. Resisting that thought Alex dropped her clothes and climbed into the small shower off of her mudroom. Raising her face upward the hot water cascaded down her tired body. Streaks from the day’s dirt pooled muddily toward the drain. Not wanting to miss any of the night’s magic, Alex scrubbed her body free of dirt, toweled off and padded up the beige stairs to find some clothing. Dressed in a white nightie Alex took a glass from the rack and chose a bottle of Pinot Grigio from the refrigerator. On her way out the door she hit the button on her iPod and the sweet voice of Taylor Swift trailed after her.
Alex set the glassware down and sank into the newly bought cushion of her patio chair. By now dusk was over and the moon was rising. If only it were full it would be the perfect night. Alex poured the pale yellow liquid into her glass. A quick sip brought a chilling taste of fruit to mind. Mmmm this was good. Muscles tired, freshly showered and a warm evening soaking in the week’s activity. The fairy lights looked perfect as they played hide and seek between the lush greenery and the old antique arbor. She really liked the look of the granite cobblestones for the path as well. Shutting her eyes and taking in the nighttime noises swayed Alex gently into a light sleep. She came too, with a rustling behind her. The tall dark shadow coming around the corner should have made her call out in fright only it did the opposite and caused a warm feeling to come over her.
“How’s it going Allie? Any beer in the fridge?”
“It hasn’t moved since the last time you were here.”
Alex admired the tall leanness of her best friend. No one could quite wear Levi’s like Bryce could. He looked the same as he had since high school. Now fast approaching 50 not much had changed. She wished she could say the same. Battle wounds showed both on the outside and the inside of Alex’s athletic build. It hadn’t been an easy life she had, but at least she was home now.